United Kingdom At Exhibition

Northern Advocate, 10 November 1939, Page 6

United Kingdom At Exhibition

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”]

WELLINGTON, This Day,

Speaking at the opening of the United Kingdom pavilion at the Centennial Exhibition yesterday, the High Commissioner fpr the United Kingdom in New Zealand (Sir Harry Batterbee) said the theme of the exhibits communications and transport by sea, by land and in the air. Sir Harry said that every improvement in communications rebounded to the ’ advantage of trade ard commerce, and, e ven mere important, drew yet closer the ties which bound this Dominion and the Mother Country and promoted, the unity and strength of the British Commonwealth, which was so vitally essential for the future peace and civilisation of the world. Ships, Engines, Cars Sir Harry said that' in the exhibits people would see various types of ships, railway engines, motor cars and aeroplanes from the earliest type to the latest and most up-to-date models in use to-day. - ' “I think you will all be interested in the map of the world in the west wing of the pavilion,” he said. “This shows, by means of model ships that are continually moving, the various trade routes of the world as they affect the carrying trad© of the British Commonwealth of Nations. “This map also shows air routes which have done so much to bring the most distant parts of our far-flung Empire still closer together.” New Zealand Beside Britain. The Exhibition president (Mr Sullivan) said he would like to say how much the Government of New Zealand, as well as the Exhibition authorities. appreciated the gesture by the British Government in being represented so effectively and beautifully at the Exhibition. Mr Sullivan said it was the Britons, and children of Britons, who had built New Zealand.

Though there had been some difficulties in recent times in regard to trade, they were of the transient kind. This country stood side by side witty the United Kingdom in the mighty effort that was being made to uphold the freedom of the Empire, of the world, and of democracy. The United Kingdom pavilion cost £3500.

In spite of rain, the ceremony was well attended.